Microsoft has announced its plans to inject investments worth $2.2 billion in the Malaysian market over the next four years, aiming to enhance and support cloud computing technologies and innovation in the field of artificial intelligence.
According to a blog article, this investment is the biggest in Microsoft’s thirty-three-year trajectory in Malaysia. This investment includes establishing the necessary infrastructure for cloud computing services and artificial intelligence technologies, aiming to open opportunities for approximately two hundred thousand individuals to refine their skills in the field of artificial intelligence, in addition to the commitment to support emerging programmers in the country.
Microsoft plans to collaborate with the Malaysian government in establishing a “National Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence” and also to enhance the levels of cybersecurity in the country.
After meeting with Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, on the 2nd of May, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed that the investment aligns with Malaysia’s efforts to develop its capabilities in the artificial intelligence sector.
During his visit to Kuala Lumpur, Nadella stated:
“We strive to ensure that all institutions and small startups benefit through the establishment of a world-class infrastructure.”
Based on a study conducted by Kearney, a global consultancy company, artificial intelligence is expected to make a valuable contribution of one trillion dollars to the GDP of the Southeast Asia region by 2030, with Malaysia expected to benefit specifically by around $115 billion.
Microsoft aims to enhance its support for global artificial intelligence development operations, and Nadella announced this week a $1.7 billion investment plan in Indonesia, an adjacent country, adding that the company plans to establish its first regional data center in Thailand.
In February, Microsoft revealed a new massive investment within the European continent, including a pledge of $2.1 billion to develop the infrastructure for artificial intelligence and cloud computing services in Spain. This investment follows the company’s independent statements regarding committing three billion euros to develop the artificial intelligence environment in Germany, announced on the 15th of February.
Leading technology companies have started investing in artificial intelligence projects, coinciding with the European Union’s readiness to enact its new legislation on artificial intelligence laws across the European continent. In this context, Google, the technology giant, announced in February the “Artificial Intelligence Opportunities for Europe initiative,” involving an investment of 25 million euros (equivalent to $26.9 million) to develop and refine Europeans’ skills in the field of artificial intelligence.
Google is working in collaboration with the European Union member states, the civil society, academic experts, and various companies to provide training courses in artificial intelligence technology locally, and to direct investments to empower workers to acquire the necessary skills to maintain their competitiveness in the job market.
In 2023, Italian authorities launched a project similar to its predecessors, investing a budget estimated in tens of millions of euros to develop and enhance the digital capabilities of workers at risk of losing their jobs due to advancing automation and artificial intelligence developments.
